… and just go for standalone episodes for new content?
More players would probably be happier if WoW went that way, if for no other reason than it may silence the “bug whiners”.
Me - I would hate it… but when did ONE, singular player ever count for anything in WoW…?
EDIT:
After the Worldsoul Saga, I mean.
Let’s end the idea after the first expansion (without any major patches) that they’ve likely spent a few years working on and have the next couple planned out and no back up
Yeah. I’ve thrown that thought around years ago, because the whole expansion format seems pretty dated.
And in 2024 it feels extremely dated.
…Aren’t expansions standalone episodes?
I enjoy the current concept of Sagas a lot, and I like the excitement of a new expansion, so I’m against that idea tbh
could you please elaborate?
You reply to me but quote the OP?
I can only speak for myself, but expansions in WoW don’t really expand. They replace.
You used to have 4 zones in the Dragon Isles, now you have 4 zones in Khaz Algar instead.
You used to have 8 dungeons in the Dragon Isles, now you have 8 dungeons in Khaz Algar instead.
That’s different from the approach that Diablo IV is taking with Vessel of Hatred that comes out soon. It adds a new zone and a bunch of dungeons – but it doesn’t replace the existing content of the game, it just adds to it. So the game gets bigger. Everything is still relevant, there’s just a bunch of new mixed in with the old.
Business reasons aside, I think WoW would be much better if it didn’t have expansions and instead just poured those resources into making more patches with a greater cadence of new zones and dungeons and raids and campaign stories.
We don’t really need the 10 new levels, 4 new zones, 8 new dungeons, and 1 new raid that replaces the previous 10 levels, 4 zones, 8 dungeons, and 1 raid.
Just give us a new new zone with a new story and a new raid and dungeon every 3 months. Some new gear progression and some new systems here and there.
Every once in a while there can be a squish and some catch-up mechanics, but there’s no reason to replace what exists with something new that’s essentially the same, just to jam another 10 levels in there for no real reason. Yeah it sells boxes and Blizzard makes a penny, but I wouldn’t say it makes for a captivating game experience. It’s a dated format.
yes sorry i noticed after the confusion of quoting. thanks for explanation.
This ain’t Guild Wars 2.
What’s next, asking money to access any of the content you missed?
Yep if big expansions go away we likely will have to pay for every single standalone episodes. It would feel to me like we would end up paying the same or more in total while getting lesser content.
Can you imagine paying for the standalone episode wich likely will just be something like the reclaimal of gilneas? Short and terrible
If that happens I’m probably gone 
From all mmorpg’s the concept on an expansion is essential to draw excitement and players back to the game.
I hard disagree with you. Mmorpg’s that go the road of the patch usually cut on content cause they aren’t getting the extra revenue and go on to die the slow death of constant bleeding of players.
I always feel like people construct a bogeyman in order to argue against something that appears good as a form of coping for why they don’t already have it.
But it’s worth flipping the perspective around and remember that Blizzard have a desire to keep their customers. So if getting fleeced for DLC (more than we already are) isn’t good for player retention, then Blizzard aren’t going to do it (or they’re going to do it the way they usually do, which is slowly and incrementally over time, so players get accustomed to it and it becomes normalized).
And also; the expansions aren’t big anymore. For €50-€90 you’re not getting a horn of plenty from Blizzard these days. You’re getting the bare minimum to carry you over.
Not sure I want episodes, given we currently pay from 50 to 120€ every other year (depending on version bought) as well as a sub fee.
Unless the episodes were also every couple of years, and at that point, aren’t they just expansions?
Yes. There is no point in leveling 10 levels and then have a stat squish next expac. They should have the initial 1-60 and then cap you at 60.
Content patches should introduce new questlines, raids, dungeons and should improve existing gear through new gems, enchantments and exotic items that improves certain skills or so. Content patches should aim at improving character customization in the form of different ways to build your play style. Eg single minded fury for warriors.
Content patches should aim at improving endgame content.
This I agree with, why does my character forget spells, and learn new spells, just because they walked across a border into a new land?
When I fly to another country, I don’t forget how to do my job.
Technically they are adding a MASS of (new) content, systems, etc that would be way too big for a Patch.
They ended the concept of expansions already. Thats why you get major patches once a year for 100$ extra on top of your subscription, ingame shop and p2w tokens.
I’m not sure how it would work without expansions.
Just release new events and dungeons and lore as time goes on.
And remove seasons!!!
Make wow a living dynamic world. Not a 2 year life span then release something completely new and then just throw away EVERYTHIGN from the past. Like as if it was nerver there. Having a huge world where no one ever goes back to… Its freaking insane and money wasting